Janier Acevedo wins blisteringly hot Tour of California stage two

Janier Acevedo (Jamis) climbed to victory on stage two of the Tour of California in Palm Springs on Monday.

The Colombian was last man standing on the Aerial Tramway after a stage that was run in temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The final ascent decimated the peloton, with only a small group that included Acevedo, Philip Deignan (United Healthcare), Tejay van Garderen (BMC) and Michael Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff) left up front.

Irishman Deignan attacked first, quickly putting a serious gap between himself and the remnants of the peloton. His pace forced the chase behind, and soon it was just Acevedo and van Garderen left to fight out for the honours after they caught and passed Deignan. When Acevedo put in one final attack, van Garderen simply couldn't match it and had to settle for second place. Deignan came in for third.

Acevedo now takes the overall lead in the race ahead of van Garderen at 12 seconds and Deignan at 27 seconds.

Overnight race leader Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM) and Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Leopard) were two notable casualties on the final slope, both eventually came home well over nine minutes down on Acevedo.

Several riders had to be helped off their bikes at the finish line, the high temperatures and high altitude proving too much.

The race - and high temperatures - continue today with a flatter stage from Palmdale to Santa Clarita over 177.7km, which should suit the likes of Peter Sagan (Cannondale). 

Results

Tour of California 2013, stage two: Murrieta to Palm Springs, 200km

1. Janier Acevedo (Col) Jamis-Hagens Berman in 5-07-40

2. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing at 12 secs

3. Philip Deignan (Irl) United Healthcare at 27 secs

4. Mathias Frank (Swi) BMC Racing at 45 secs

5. Michael Rogers (Aus) Saxo-Tinkoff at 55 secs

6. Chad Haga (USA) Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies at 1-13

7. Matthew Busche (USA) RadioShack-Leopard at 1-15

8. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) 5 Hour Energy at same time

9. Lawson Craddock (USA) Bontrager at 1-32

10. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge at 1-40

Overall classification after stage two

1. Janier Acevedo (Col) Jamis-Hagens Berman in 9-39-19

2. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing at 12 secs

3. Philip Deignan (Irl) United Healthcare at 27 secs

4. Mathias Frank (Swi) BMC Racing at 45 secs

5. Michael Rogers (Aus) Saxo-Tinkoff at 55 secs

6. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) 5 Hour Energ at 1-03

7. Chad Haga (USA) Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies at 1-13

8. Matthew Busche (USA) RadioShack-Leopard at 1-15

9. Lawson Craddock (USA) Bontrager at 1-32

10. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge at 1-40

Related links

Westra wins Tour of California opener

Tour of California 2013: The Big Preview